This will ensure that they are placed no more than 4 inches apart, although spindles can be placed from the center point, but not to exceed a … I am looking to install privacy screens on my concrete patio. A 2×4 is exactly 3.5 inches wide. ANSI A117.4 Accessible and Usable buildings and Facilities (earlier version was incorporated into the ADA), ASTM F 1637, Standard Practice for Safe Walking Surfaces, (Similar to the above standard, [7] The Circular Staircase, Mary Roberts Rinehart, [8] Construction Drawings and Details, Rosemary Kilmer, [9] Falls and Related Injuries: Slips, Trips, Missteps, and Their Consequences, Lawyers & Judges Publishing, (June 2002), ISBN-10: 0913875430 ISBN-13: 978-0913875438, [11] The National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST (nee National Bureau of Standards NBS) is a US government agency - see www.nist.gov, "A Parametric Study of Wall Moisture Contents Using a Revised Variable Indoor Relative Humidity Version of the "Moist" Transient Heat and Moisture Transfer Model [copy on file as/interiors/MOIST_Model_NIST_b95074.pdf ] - ", George Tsongas, Doug Burch, Carolyn Roos, Malcom Cunningham; this paper describes software and the prediction of wall moisture contents. All posts, except the last post will be evenly spaced. Recommended maximum intermediate cable rail posts spacing is 4’. The minimum height of the railing varies based on the height of the deck. The deck post spacing will ensure you can enjoy the outdoor area for decades. Now that you know how high you have to build your railings, follow up by reading these other more detailed discussions on strength, safety factors,  including how to properly secure posts into wood framed decks. 2. The lengths of each side of a deck often vary. American National Standards Institute, approved February 16, 1968. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website. Balusters can be either vertical or horizontal – or diagonal if you’re feeling ambitious – but the gap between balusters cannot exceed 4 inches. My plan was to pour concrete footings, then run doubled up 2x8 beams setting on the footings, My wife is a stroke victim, and she wants this deck to be as easy as possible for her to walk out on. To make sure your baluster spacing is up to code, follow the best practice to include three balusters for every foot of railing. Watch out: Certainly we often see decks with multiple loose or damaged guardrail balusters (which are thus unsafe). A 36" rail measured from the top of rail to the deck surface is required. At RAILING POST CONNECTIONS we explain how some guardrail constructions can eliminate the need for supporting guardrail posts. ), [39] "How Slippery Is It", retrieved 8/29/12, original source http://www.icebike.org/Articles/howslippery.htm, [41] Frictional Coefficients of some Common Materials and Materials Combinations, The Engineering Toolbox, retrieved 8/29/2012, original source: http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/friction-coefficients-d_778.html [copy on file as Friction and Coefficients of Friction.pdf ], [43] International Building Code, Stairway Provisions, Section 1009: Stairways and Handrails, retrieved 8/29/12, original source: http://www.amezz.com/ibc-stairs-code.htm [copy on file as IBC Stairs Code.pdf], [44] Model Building Code, Chapter 10, Means of Egress, retrieved 8/29/12, original source: http://www2.iccsafe.org/states/newjersey/NJ_Building/PDFs/NJ_Bldg_Chapter10.pdf, [copy on file as NJ_Bldg_Chapter10.pdf] adopted, for example by New Jersey. John Wiley & Sons, 2006. Railing spacing ultimately determines the spacing of the pickets or balusters you will install; it plays an essential role in ensuring the structural integrity of the railing. Guards are required when then deck is 24" (60 cm) above grade. New York: American You can anchor your balusters to the deck, or if you choose, a rail that can be no more than 4” from the deck surface. Privacy Screens -How High Can I Go With Titan Wood Post Anchor? Railings, and Toe Boards,” USAS A12.1-1967. Nearly half of these injuries are serious enough to require time off the job--11,570 lost workday injuries and 13,312 non-lost workday injuries occur annually due to falls from stairways and ladders used in construction. International Code Council, 500 New Jersey Avenue, NW, 6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, Tel: 800-786-4452. Deck Railing Post Spacing Calculator. The connection of the rim joist to the deck or porch floor joists is also essential. H1 Hurricane Tie: Holds joist on both sides. To maintain the 4-in. There are specific requirements for each aspect of the railing system, such as handrail height, the amount of pressure that the system must be able to withstand, and how far apart the posts must be spaced. Because building codes cannot anticipate every conceivable guardrail design and because the code writers don't want to infuriate guardrail manufacturers by inadvertently making their product illegal, building codes often specify the *performance* that must be met by the structure rather than attempting to specify exactly how the structure must be built. Post Heights and Cable Spacing. We also provide a MASTER INDEX to this topic, or you can try the page top or bottom SEARCH BOX as a quick way to find information you need. The sweep space between the deck surface and the bottom rail must be less than 4". New York: After the railing is installed, sand all the corners smooth. There are some minor differences. Country Club Hills, IL: Building Officials & Code Administration To meet the deck railing height and space dimensions stated by the code, it’s important to have handy tools. Minimum 36 ”at all points above the permitted handrail height. S. Hyde, Jon R. Abele, ISBN-13: 978-1-933264-01-1 or The clearance is tight, but a right-angle drill attachment helps to set them. Most backyard decks using wooden posts... Local Code. [45] Ralph L. Barnett* and William G. Switalski, "Case Study Deck Railing Post Spacing: Guidelines and Code Requirements even where disabled individuals are not the design target. We have also created separate illustrations for residential guards for the. American National Standards Institute, approved March 15, 1973. 2. Click to Show or Hide Citations & References, OSHA estimates that there are 24,882 injuries and as many as 36 fatalities per year due to falls from stairways and ladders used in construction. Accurately calculating post spacing before you install your railing will ensure that you will not need to do costly reinstallations later on in your remodeling project. Screw the center blocks. A span is the unsupported distance between two posts. [33] Coefficient of friction of algae on surfaces [like stair treads]: Delphine Gourdon, Qi Lin, Emin Oroudjev, Helen Hansma, Yuval Golan, Shoshana Arad, and Jacob Israelachvili, "Adhesion and Stable Low Friction Provided by a Subnanometer-Thick Monolayer of a Natural Polysaccharide", Langmuir, 2008 pp 1534-1540, American Chemical Society, [49] “Requirements for Fixed Industrial Stairs,” USAS A64.1-1968. This article provides details about standards, requirements & testing procedures for handrailings & guardrailings in or on the exterior of buildings. I will attach 2 x 6 or 2 x 8 deck joists to these posts. Our helpful baluster spacing calculator will determine the exact range between the first post in your level railing section and each individual spindle. Higher strength requirements are specified for some guardrailing systems, such as plastic guards. Contact information: Triodyne Inc. When determining the height of railing posts, individuals should factor in the type of location, as well as local, city and/or international building codes. Openings, Railings, and Toeboards,” ANSI A12.1-1973. Standard Guardrails, California Building Code, provides description of how guard rails should be constructed. Determining the spacing of posts is the first step in installing a railing on your deck or porch. Requirements for Deck Stairs The code has some very specific requirements for deck stairs: Stair rails on decks should be between 34 inches and 38 inches high, measured vertically from the nose of the tread to the top of the rail. Maximum cantilever of a 2X8 is 24” at 16” o.c. The size of the deck directly affects the spacing of the support posts. 3. This Q&A were posted originally at DECK & PORCH GUARDRAILINGS. Building code suggests that rail post span should not exceed 72" (1829 mm) - measured from the center of each post. Stainless steel railing installations must comply with applicable standards related to post height and cable spacing. Web search 09/02/2011,original source: www.dir.ca.gov/title8/3209.html. Place a 2×4 lengthwise against the wall or first rail post. Simpson Strong-Tie DTT2Z Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc Simpson Strong Tie Technical Support (800) 999-5099. Guard rail & handrail strength requirements & strength testing requirements specified in various building codes & standards. REMEMBER THESE THINGS. In situations Enter Length Between End Posts, Baluster Width and Gap Size to calculate required end gaps to maintain spacing. A 36" rail measured from the top of rail to the deck surface is required. 5950 West Touhy Avenue Niles, IL 60714-4610 (847) 677-4730 Then why all the time spent on post, especially 6 foot spacing versus 0 feet for balister supported rails. Decks 24" to 5-10" (180 cm) need 36" guards and anything above 5-10" requires a 42" high railing. Giving you on-center measurements, our baluster spacing tool will help your railing meet building codes and remain symmetrical throughout.